I'm sure that there is an actual number, but since there are so many cultures that have developed "branches" of their own religions, it is a difficult one to answer. For instance, Southern Baptists stemmed from Baptists, which stemmed from Christianism which started in the Jewish religion of the Old Testament. Southern Baptists share similarities of each of it's predecessors, but are not entirely the same. So take that into account, and then consider all of the minor villages and tribes that inhabit the earth. Each of these have some sort of their own religion as well, and their are thousands of them. Major religions are: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Chinese traditional, Buddhism, Sikhism, Juche, Spiritism, Judaism, Baha'i, Jainism, Shinto, Cao Dai, Zoroastianism, Tenrikyo, Neo-Paganism, Universalism, Rastafarianism, Scientology. http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
Most people might think and say that they don't have a religion, but it's actually easy to tell what their religion is if you listen to them for any length of time. If you do a search for "religion" on the internet, you'll see that there are a number of different definitions in use, many of which conflict. But I think that religion is what you worship. That you worship something is given since we all have things that we enjoy, and so we schedule time for these things and invest money in them and we talk about them - whether it's golf, a profession, an addiction - whatever predominates your thinking is what you worship. One who worships has a religion. Some people worship hardship. They dwell on what the worst case scenario might be in every circumstance. This is reflected in what they say in relaxed conversation; always a negative interpretation of the future. Others worship self. They are preoccupied with what others are thinking about them; they embarrass easily - although they may be able to hide this fact effectively most of the time. Still others worship idols; things like gold, houses, cars, land - money. Their conversation will always be in terms of 'currency and exchange'. There are also people who worship the concept of a 'supreme being' - a creator; an all powerful, eternal, perfect god. They will quote from standard text, and usually dwell on judgment. All religions have this in common - benefit can only be earned through performance. Whether it's pessimism, self-consciousness, idolatry, spiritualism, or something else, all religions have this 'performance and reward' foundation - all except one. There is one religion that is founded on unconditional love and forgiveness as well as eternal life in paradise - all as a free gift from a God who is perfect Love. The standard text is referred to as The Bible, and the religion is described in a section referred to as "Romans" (although it has nothing to do with the Roman Empire) as well as "Hebrews", "Ephesians", "Matthew", "Mark", "Luke" and "John", as well as throughout the text. Those who practice this religion effectively will use language that carries an undertone of selfless love.
AnswerTo equate "worship" with "things people enjoy" is absurd. I enjoy sushi, and make time and spend money to enjoy it from time to time, but I don't worship it. This "answer" relies on the last definition of religion, and dances around the real question asked (before the answerer gets to the point of posting their "answer", which is to endorse their own superstitious belief system). Religion, therefore, is better defined as acceptance, through faith, of a superstitious realm, often involving a god or gods, and expressed through "spirituality" (or not, many "religious" people appear to have little spirituality).So, a better answer to the question is about 20% of the human population, or 1,339,450,808. This, of course, assumes that billions of children indoctrinated or identified by the religion of their parents/families are actually consciously religious, and count in the other 5,357,803,233 people who "have a religion".
Around 5.6 billion people are considered to belong to a religion.
To contrast and perhaps make clear the limit, around 1.1 billion of the world's estimated 6.8 billion (leaving about 100 million unaccounted for somehow; this as much as any fact shos the inaccuracy in the figures kept for either) are considered atheist, agnostic, or irreligious of some form, meaning that these people could not be consdiered part of any religion.
However, note the differences between 'belonging to' and 'participating in'; many estimates remove as much as half to two-thirds of the first number as not actually practicing religion. Also, because many do not make clear the level of their participation, it is nearly impossible to truly state the number of people actively or even passively participating in any religion, let alone all together. This would leave anywhere from 2 to 4 billion people active in religion.
Miliions!! But we hope that they all have it on judgment day!
Over 60% of the world is religous, while the other 40% are either Atheist on non-religious
6.8 Billion people world wide.
over 3,000 because people die every second
Since religious freedom is a basic right in the constitution no one is required to report what religion they follow or beliefs. World wide about 1% practice it.
55,000
Which university?
2 people
1.2milloin people are thought to be starving world wide.
Much less people than needed.
around 12 million people have it world wide
over 8 million people world wide
About 130 million.
only 1